The history of Kyushu University dates back to 1903. The total number of students currently amounts to 18,393, while the faculty members number 2,331. International exchange programs are also greatly encouraged at Kyushu University.

Department of Marine Systems Engineering is a part of the Faculty of Engineering. Topics covered by professors at this department include ship hydrodynamics. Ongoing research activities are ship manoeuvring in deep and confined waters as well as ship-to-ship interaction.